The battle over the biodigester or methane plant that was slated for the California neighborhood could be pivotal to some voters' thinking as they approach the May 17 Democratic primary for Metro Council District 6.

Incumbent David James is facing a challenge from Carol Clark, who uses the plant as one example of how California residents "don't feel we have a voice" and aren't learning about developments early enough. "I didn't see my opponent there early on," Clark said.

For his part, James said that once he learned of the plans for the methane plant, he drove to Ohio to visit a similar biodigester and based on what he saw and smelled there became an opponent of the facility.

The Courier-Journal's recommends voters give James another term to continue work he's done on economic development, especially in the Oak Street corridor, and addressing public safety concerns.

Interestingly, both James and Clark have law enforcement backgrounds – James first with the Louisville Police Department and later University of Louisville police; Clark as a housing authority police officer.

James noted that he's allocated money for overtime to put more police on the streets. He also cited legislation he pushed three years ago to require electronic reporting of items brought into pawn shops to reduce crime by addicts seeking money for drugs. "You can't arrest your way out of" drug problems, James said while calling for more drug treatment facilities and pointing to his support of needle exchanges.

Clark advocates "ongoing education for police" on "how to relate ... how to approach" people.

Clark, who operates a barber shop, said she had to "step out of my comfort zone" to enter politics. While she doesn't win our endorsement, her message that residents in her California neighborhood "feel neglected" should resonate with James and the rest of Metro Council, as we heard in interviews in other districts.

Describing the diversity of the district, including its many neighborhood associations, James said: "Trying to spread the love ... throughout that whole challenging area is a big issue and how you deal with that. I think I've done a pretty good job of that. Could I have done that better? Absolutely." One way James might do better is to tap Clark to help with outreach in California.